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KP Assembly proceedings adjourned due to lack of quorum


Peshawar: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly proceedings, chaired by Speaker Babar Salim Swati on Wednesday, adjourned until January 13, at 2 p.m. due to lack of quorum.



The proceedings began with the recitation of the Quran. However, immediately after, an opposition member pointed out a lack of quorum. At that point, only 24 members were present in the House.



In response, the Speaker ordered to rung the bells for two minutes.



Once the session resumed, the required number of members for continuing the proceedings was still not met.



As a result, the Speaker adjourned the session until Monday at 2 p.m. January 13.



It is worth mentioning here that the provincial assembly proceedings was initially scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, but it was delayed by over four hours. This led to journalists in the press gallery boycotting the proceedings.



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Gold rates increase by Rs.1,000 to Rs.273,600 per tola


Islamabad: The price of 24 karat per tola gold increased by Rs.1,000 and was traded at Rs.273,600 on Wednesday against its sale at Rs.272,600 on the last trading day, All Sindh Sarafa Jewellers Association reported.



The price of 10 grams of 24 karat gold increased by Rs.857 to Rs.234,568 from Rs.233,711 whereas that of 10 grams of 22 karat went up to Rs.215,021 from Rs.233,711.



Per tola and ten gram silver were sold at existing prices of Rs 3,350 and Rs.2,872.08 respectively.



The price of gold in the international market increased by $10 to $2,624 from $2,614, the Association reported.



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Revamping of Punjab’s teaching hospitals nears completion, says health minister

Lahore: Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique announced on Wednesday that the ongoing revamping projects in government teaching hospitals are progressing rapidly and will significantly enhance patient care and treatment facilities once completed.

Chairing a meeting alongside Provincial Minister for Communication and Works (C and W) Malik Sohaib Ahmed Bharath at the C and W Department, the ministers reviewed progress on the extensive revamping efforts across the province.

During the meeting, detailed progress reports on the revamping of various government teaching hospitals were discussed. These included Aziz Bhatti Shaheed Teaching Hospital Gujrat, Allama Iqbal Memorial Hospital Sialkot, Punjab Dental Hospital Lahore, Services Hospital Lahore, Nawaz Sharif Yaki Gate Hospital Lahore, Mian Munshi Teaching Hospital Lahore, Lady Aitchison Hospital Lahore, Sardar Begum Teaching Hospital Sialkot, Ghulam Muhammad Hospital Faisalabad, Allama Iqbal Teaching Hospital DG Khan, Bahawal Victoria Hospital Bahawalpur, Sahiwal Teaching Hospital, Nishtar Hospital Multan, Children's Hospital Multan, Holy Family Hospital Rawalpindi, Benazir Bhutto Hospital Rawalpindi, DHQ Hospitals in Gujranwala, Rahim Yar Khan, and Sargodha, Allied Hospital Faisalabad, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital Lahore, Mayo Hospital Lahore, Kot Khawaja Saeed Hospital Lahore, Jinnah Hospital Lahore, General Hospital Lahore, Children's Hospital Lahore, and the Punjab Institute of Cardiology.

Speaking at the meeting, Khawaja Salman Rafique emphasized the importance of timely completion of revamping projects and assured that 100 percent transparency is being maintained throughout the process. He stressed that negligence would not be tolerated in the revamping projects and reaffirmed the government's commitment to ensuring world-class healthcare facilities in Punjab's teaching hospitals.

Provincial Minister for Communication and Works Malik Sohaib Ahmed Bharath added that 90 percent of the work has been completed in most hospitals, and directives have been issued to complete the remaining tasks promptly. The Secretary of the C and W Department has been tasked with ensuring adherence to the timeline.

The meeting was attended by Punjab Health Secretary Azmat Mahmood, Secretary C and W Lt. (R) Sohail Ashraf, Special Secretary Development of Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Syed Wajid Ali Shah, Additional Secretary Dr. Waheed Asghar, Chief Planning Officer Abdul Haq Bhatti, and other C and W officers. Hospital principals, medical superintendents, and engineers from the concerned teaching hospitals also participated via video link.

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Hindu pilgrims from India to visit Pakistan on January 5

Lahore: Hindu pilgrims from India will arrive Pakistan via Wagah Border on January 5 to participate in the birth anniversary celebrations of Satguru Sant Swami Shadaram, the founder of historic Shadani Darbar Hayat Pitafi in Mirpur Mathelo, Sindh. The pilgrims will be warmly welcomed by Additional Secretary Shrines, Saifullah Khokhar, Deputy Secretary Umer Javed Awan, and member of the Pakistan Hindu Mandir Management Committee, Amit Shadani. Under the guidance of federal government and Chairman Evacuee Trust Property Board, Syed Ata-ur-Rehman, comprehensive arrangements, including foolproof security, have been finalized for their visit. After their arrival, the pilgrims will head directly to Shadani Darbar Hayat Pitafi, where central religious ceremonies and rituals will take place. During their stay, they will also visit several sacred sites in Sindh, including Yog Mata Mandir in Aqilpur, Ghotki, Pano Aqil, and historic Sadhu Bela Mandir in Sukkur. On January 14, the pilgrims will spend a day in Nankana Sahib before concluding their journey. The famous Shadani Darbar in Ghotki is known for its annual birth anniversary celebrations of Sant Shadaram. The Hindu pilgrims will return to India on January 15 after completing their spiritual journey.

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Crackdown launched against illegal medical labs

Dera ismail khan: The district administration Tank is taking solid measures to provide safe and quality healthcare services to citizens across the district.

As part of efforts, the district administration says that it has launched a major crackdown against illegal medical laboratories under the provincial government's public service agenda.

In this regard, Assistant Commissioner Shaukat Iqbal along with the drug Inspector inspected various medical laboratories and dental clinics in the city's markets.

During inspection, the team sealed an unregistered medical laboratory and two illegal dental clinics.

The AC said such actions would continue to ensure the public has access to quality and safe healthcare facilities.

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AIOU Offers 80 Educational Programs for Int’l students

Islamabad: Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) has offered over 80 educational programs for overseas Pakistanis and international students in its admissions for the Semester Spring 2025.

These programs include Matriculation, FA, I.Com, Associate Degrees in Arts, Commerce, and Education, BS programs, B.Ed programs of 1.5, 2.5, and 4 years, and Diploma Programs in 12 disciplines.

The university is offering these educational programs to international students through an online management system.

All academic activities, from admissions to examinations, will be conducted online. For monitoring online examinations, MS Teams or a monitoring application approved by the authorities will be used.

The last date for admissions is February 10. Students can apply online through the link http: //fmbp.aiou.edu.pk.

It is noteworthy that to facilitate international students, Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Nasir Mahmood has activated and empowered the International Collaboration and Exchange Office at the university.

This office maintains continuous contact with international students, provides them with extensive guidance, and arranges orientation sessions for new international enrollees.

While discussing international admissions, the Vice-Chancellor stated, "It is a matter of pride for us that 1,007 students from 37 countries have already enrolled, and we aim to increase this number to 5,000 within the next five years."

Overseas Pakistanis and international students can contact the International Collaboration and Exchange Office for further details via email at [email protected] or phone at +92519572495.